BAN GE SALMON

Genetically engineered salmon don't belong in Washington State.

Count me in to protect Washington's salmon!

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Thank you for helping us Protect Washington Salmon. We can't do it without you!

Fosters a sustainable, resilient environment in which our land, soil, air, water, and biodiversity are conserved, protected, and restored, and through which our food and nutrition needs are met without compromising future generations.

Measure

Prevent the introduction of genetically engineered salmon from Washington State

Background Information

In November 2015 the FDA approved the production of the AquAdvantage Salmon, the first GE animal approved for human consumption in the US. In this new species, DNA from wild Chinook salmon and an eel-like fish are fused and injected into Atlantic salmon. A GE fish will grow to full size in half the time of a wild fish and “increase the efficiency of production.” There is concern about the introduction of GE fish into Washington from an environmental, health, and justice perspective. From an environmental perspective, the possibility of GE fish escape into the wild habitat is high and will likely result in species loss of native salmon. 30% of the wild salmon found in British Columbia waters are Atlantic salmon that have escaped from fish farms. GE fish are engineered to outcompete wild salmon for food and reproduction. The release of 60 GE fish into a wild population of 60,000 would lead to the extinction of the wild population in less than 40 fish generations (National Academy of Sciences). GE salmon more aggressive in searching for food have resorted to cannibalism. Aggressive behavior is linked to population crashes and possible extinction (Canadian Dept of Fisheries). From a health perspective, farmed GE salmon require increased antibiotics, leading to concerns about toxicity, allergic reactions, and the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria (Center for Food Safety). GE salmon contain higher levels of the growth hormone IGF-1, a known carcinogen and hormone disruptor (FDA), and finally GE salmon have less healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Finally, the Muckleshoot argue that the introduction of this fish is a violation of treaty law, and, together with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, are calling on the US FDA to halt the introduction of GE salmon until they conduct formal consultation with Northwest Treaty Tribes.